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definitions

illicit

[ ih-lis-it ]
/ ɪˈlɪs ɪt /
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR illicit ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

not legally permitted or authorized; unlicensed; unlawful.
disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons.

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RELATED WORDS

wrong, immorality, lawlessness, illegitimacy

Nearby words

  1. illegitimatize,
  2. illegitimize,
  3. illia, arturo,
  4. illiberal,
  5. illich,
  6. illicitly,
  7. illimani,
  8. illimitable,
  9. illin',
  10. illing

Origin of illicit

From the Latin word illicitus, dating back to 1645–55. See il-2, licit
Related formsil·lic·it·ly, adverbil·lic·it·ness, noun
Can be confusedelicit illicitillegal illicit (see synonym study at illegal)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for illicitness

illicit

/ (ɪˈlɪsɪt) /

adjective

another word for illegal
not allowed or approved by common custom, rule, or standardillicit sexual relations
Derived Formsillicitly, adverbillicitness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for illicitness

illicit

adj.

c.1500, from Old French illicite (14c.) "unlawful, forbidden," from Latin illicitus "not allowed, unlawful, illegal," from assimilated form of in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + licitus "lawful," past participle of licere "to be allowed" (see licence). Related: Illicitly.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper